Not only making their names on the football pitch, but some of the most famous players have also gone on to join the military at the peak of their careers, while others joined the army forces before their football careers got going and were then able to thankfully come home safely and start their careers. Here are six of the most famous footballers who served the army.

6. Teemu Tainio – Finland
The Finish legendary striker turned down Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering Manchester United for his mandatory national service in his country Army. Back in 1997, The 16-year-old Teemu Tainio, who had already impressed in the Finnish leagues with TP-47 and FC Haka, had a successful trial at Old Trafford, having scored few goals in the same team with the likes Eric Cantona, Karel Poborsky and Paul Scholes.
He was poised to return for another spell at Carrington until the call for national service in Finland came

“I was at Manchester United for a few weeks but in Finland, you have to do army service and that was just before then,” explained Tainio.
“I played a few games, scored a few goals because I was a striker back then and they wanted me to come back but I said: ‘I have to do my army service’. After that, I decided to go and play in France, which is where I stayed for seven years. Why? Things change. I was only 16 when I trained with Manchester United. Eric Cantona was at the club at that time and I trained with the reserves, who had Paul Scholes, Karel Poborsky and those type of players.
“I spoke with Sir Alex and he said that he would love me to come back after army service.
“But things change, I went to France and the rest is history,” he said

5. Eric Cantona – France
The French legend began his professional career with Auxerre, making his debut in 1983, aged just 17. Just as his professional career was getting started, it was put on hold – Eric had to complete two years of military service for the French Army, and only returned to play football professionally in 1986. In spite of his time in the army, you would never describe Eric as disciplined…!
Eric Cantona enjoyed a hugely successful football career which saw him win four Premier League titles with Manchester United and many individual awards. But his achievement in football was a poor disciplinary record for much of his career, including a 1995 conviction for an assault on a fan.

4. Bruce Grobbelaar – Zimbabwe
Bruce Grobbelaar grew up in Rhod and served in the Army before joini Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League in 1979. came to Liverpool's attention durin loan spell at Crewe and signed for t club in 1981. 628 appearances for Liverpool followed
The Zimbabwean legendary goalkeeper is one of the most successful African players in English football, having made 628 appearances for Liverpool in 13 years from 1981 to 1994, including 440 in the League, he won the League championship with the club six times, as well as three FA Cups, three League Cups and the 1983–84 European Cup.
But Despite having had a successful football career, the Liverpool legend once said. “In the army, I lived in the bush for weeks, so that put the luxuries of England in perspective. I know how lucky I am,”
Grobbelaar, who joined the Rhodesian army in 1975, spent time-fighting in the civil war, which ultimately led to the formation of Zimbabwe.

3. Gary Holt -Scotland
The former Norwich player Gary Holt spent five years in the Army before becoming a professional footballer.
he served in the Army Catering Corps as a chef and played for the British Army team prior to joining Stoke in 1994.
Holt was capped 10 times by the Scotland national football team, scoring one goal. He also played for Nottingham Forest and Wycombe Wanderers, before signing for Isthmian League side Lowestoft Town after an unsuccessful transfer to Colchester United.
In his managerial career, Holt joined the Norwich City Academy, before being appointed a manager of Falkirk. His tenure lasted until June 2014, when he returned to Norwich as a first-team coach. He left Norwich by mutual consent after the 2015–16 season.

2. Heung-Min Son – South Korea
It’s so shame that at some point heung min son #sonheungmin
#heungminson has to go to South Korean Army, to become a soldier to serve his country which is mandatory for every South Korean citizens. It will be very hard for him to perform same as before after military service..
I find it hella weird and interesting as to why Korean men have to serve the military for two years by law
At some point Son Heung Min has to cut short his football career and join the army
Tottenham Hotspur face losing Heung-Min Son for two years when he will have to return to South Korea to complete mandatory military service.
Son Heung Min may go to South Korean army. #Tottenham
Under the South Korean law, All men are required to complete at least 21 months of military service before they turn 28. This Means in-form Tottenham man can play abroad until July 2019.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed his best season for Spurs as he nears 20 goals but could be missing for 21 months if he has to go through with his National Service.

1. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Since Signing for Liverpool last summer, Mo Salah has been a huge revelation to Premier League.
He has now surpassed both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in terms of goalscoring this season.
Back in 2014, Mohamed Salah’s football future looked to be in jeopardy after reports suggested he could be forced to return to Egypt to carry out military service after his registration for an education scheme rescinded by the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education.
But By chance, the former Chelsea winger had not returned to Egypt to serve military service after the Egyptian Prime Minister stepped in to resolve the matter.

The irony is having MO SALAH on that list without SIR JOE RAM HORSE. I don believe it. How can
1. Ganerio Gattuso
2.Robby Savage
3.Eric Cantona
4. Got Keane and
5.Sir